| dc.description.abstract | Introduction
The emergence of information and communication technologies (ICT) has changed the nature of the learning environments experienced by students. Educators have always created, selected and provided environments for learning, so the potential of technology-enabled learning (TEL) environments is a matter of great interest to them. TEL environments are seen as having
the potential to provide opportunities for active, flexible and individualized learning experiences. It is argued that the connection between the learner and the learning environment is central to understanding how TEL environments motivate or engage students, particularly given the capacity of TEL environments to provide more individualised experiences. Indeed, individual
differences among learners may become more evident as learning environments
become more open-ended. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) supported Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) to undertake a systematic
approach to institutionalising TEL through research, consultation, capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation. The activities included conducting a baseline survey to establish the level of preparedness in the institution, the faculty and the students, and developing and adopting a TEL policy and capacity building for faculty in the use of technology for teaching and learning (Gwada etal., 2018). This chapter documents how learners’ engagement has been improved through this TEL implementation initiative. The TEL initiative aims to increase access to quality teaching and learning by supporting policy formulation and innovation in the application of ICT
in education, and the development of ICT skills. TEL is any technology that enhances the learning experience. Research by Entwistle et al. (2002) indicated that quality learning is achieved through interactions between a variety of factors, including learners’ prior experiences, their approaches to learning, their perceptions of the teaching and learning environment, the teaching and learning environment per se, teachers’ pedagogical conceptions and subject knowledge, and course material organisation. TEL implementation at JOOUST through blended learning courses aimed at improving teaching/learning interactions so as to improve student learning experiences and outcomes by providing them with flexible and interactive learning opportunities.Practice | en_US |
